Authorities have arrested a 28-year-old man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in the far East Valley on Friday evening.

A witness observed the vehicle swerve from the middle lane to hit a man riding a bicycle on the side of the road, according to Officer Chris Hegstrom, a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office spokesman.

The witness was able gave the vehicle's license plate number to deputies, Hegstrom said, adding that the information led deputies to Derek Tinsley, 28.

Tinsley was taken into custody and could face felony charges for the hit-and-run as well as leaving the scene of a fatal accident, according to Hegstrom.

Tom Seip, a man who lives in the area, said he was a close friend of the victim for around 20 years, calling him, "Mikey." Seip said he used to give Mikey and his dog, Buddy, water and hot dogs from his auto shop.

Seip also said he helped Mikey build the very bike he was riding when he was hit by the passing motorist.

"I saw his red wheels and said, 'Oh, that's Mikey,'" Seip recalled.

Seip described Mikey as around 60 years old and homeless, saying he had slept on his driveway just three days ago. Seip said Buddy ran away recently and that Mikey spent most of his time looking for the dog.

"He'd been bouncing from driveway to driveway just for some place to sleep," Seip said. "He was the nicest guy you'd ever meet."